Snakes Putting Best Face Forward:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Snakes putting best face forward

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star

Published: April 01, 2010

If there is one area where the Vernon Vipers haven’t been overly convincing this B.C. Hockey League post-season, it is in their ability to grow playoff beards. Aside from captain Kevin Kraus, netminder Graeme Gordon and a handful of other veterans, the post-season whiskers are somewhat lacking.

When asked who had the best beard going, Kraus replied: “Besides me? We don’t have too many guys who can grow them this year. Maybe Ikky (Cole Ikkala) or Tommy (Adam Thompson)?”

And the worst playoff stubble?

“Pimmer’s (Braden Pimm). He thinks he has a couple chin hairs here and there, and maybe a little mustache, but it’s pretty bad,” chuckled Kraus.

Gordon, a 20-year-old North Vancouver product, goes so far as to credit his facial follicles, his mustache in particular, for his rock-steady play in the post-season. With four shutouts in 10 games, and a sparkling 1.49 goals against average and 93.96 save percentage, he makes a pretty strong case.

“A secret I’m going to reveal to you here – a little Morning Star exclusive – the mustache is the power of my play,” deadpanned Gordon, 20. “When it wasn’t around I wasn’t playing as well, but now that it’s back and I’ve got the A-game going.”

More seriously, he added: “I don’t have to make a lot (of saves) with those guys in front of me, but when I do, I just try to keep the guys in it. If I keep them in it for long enough, I know they’ll take over and get the job done.”

Beard or no beard, the Vipers’ experience and depth are proving to be a lethal combination in the post-season.

With 13 returnees from last year’s Royal Bank Cup squad, and a forward corps as talented as any in Junior A hockey, the Snakes, ranked No. 2 in Canada, are poised to defend their Fred Page Cup title in a rematch from last year as they battle the Coastal Champion Powell River Kings.

Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-seven series go tonight and Saturday night respectively against at Wesbild Centre.

The significance of a return to the league final is not lost on Kevin Kraus, a Garden Grove, Calif. native.

“It’s pretty unbelievable. It’s not every year that you get to get back into the BCHL final. Lucky for us we are here and we’re going to take full advantage of it.

“The bond we share with everyone in the locker room and how close we get as we go into battle... it’s an amazing thing to watch.”

While last year’s roster was underpinned by a bruising corps of blueliners, Kraus says this year’s edition is based more on speed and skill.

“We’re a little less physical on the back end, but other than that, the depth we have this year is just as immense. It’s scary to think we’re doing the same thing this year as we were last year.

“From top to bottom, for the Jonesies (twins Connor and Kellen) to Pimmer and Mike (Collins) and Dave (Robinson), to our third and fourth line – if you want to call them a fourth line – have been playing unreal.”

The Kings, who have three of the top-four playoff scorers, also have a robust defence corps, led by captain Mat Bodie.

Said Kings’ head coach Kent Lewis: “Well, if Sam Pollock (former Montreal Canadiens GM who built his teams from the back end out) is right, then we’re doing well.

“It’s been a development. Having Bodie back there has been huge. He was captain of the World Junior A Hockey Challenge team (Pacific entry with the Jones twins).”

For speedy Viper d-man Stevie Weinstein, this post-season is all about the opportunity to step up. The 19-year-old Los Angeles product played in just four games last post-season, but he is using smart distribution and a good first pass to give Vernon a dynamic look on the back end this year.

“It’s a lot more exciting and I’m having a lot more fun. I learned a lot watching the playoffs last year and I think I’ve put that into my play this year,” said Weinstein.

“Playing to get another (title)... will be a little bit more special for me.”

SNAKE BITES: Vernon’s Sonja Gaudet and Armstrong’s Ina Forrest, who won gold in wheelchair curling with the Team Canada at the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver, will drop the puck before Game 1 tonight. They will also be on hand to greet fans during the first intermission.